Again, I’d like to use the Biblical book of James for practical advice on overcoming temptation.  How do you handle temptations? How do we help our children?

The first step James gives us is a step of preparation. We need to expect it. Temptation is universal. Every living, breathing person who has ever lived, who is living now, and who will ever live will face temptation. Temptation is inevitable. Your temptations will be tailor made for your weaknesses.

The next step in handling temptation is to analyze it. What is the source of temptation? James says that God is not the source of our temptation. How about Satan? Satan certainly does tempt us, but Satan gets too much credit. James tells us that temptation comes from within each of us. It is our own evil desire that begins this process that leads to sin. The desire to sin is already within us. You might think that sin itself is some sort of a magnet. Not true. The magnet is within you. It is our desire.

Our desires lead to deception. James tells us that because of our desire we are dragged away and enticed. The word enticed is a fishing term that means "to lure by bait." And the purpose of bait is deception. If you bait your hook with a nice juicy worm, you have two purposes in mind. The first is to lure the fish. The second is to hide the hook. We are enticed by sin, in part, because we do not see the consequences. The consequences of sin are real, but we are blinded to them by the strength of our desire. Temptation results in disobedience and finally ends in death. This is the ultimate result of yielding to temptation.

The final step in the process of dealing with temptation is to reject it. Once you see it for what it is, get away from it. Be warned! Don’t take the warning lightly.

James tells us that God will always make a way of escape. Sometimes that way of escape is to simply run! If we find ourselves in the place of temptation we might simply need to get out of there.

Let’s be honest. We all know the consequences of poor choices we’ve made. Some of us live with diseases, difficult marriages, broken relationships or lies we can’t make right. We hurt as we see our children traveling down the same roads. Let’s become victors – not victims!

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.